These are images that strike my fancy on a particular day, based on my feelings and memories of the image and how they fit in with my life that day. I hope you will enjoy them as well. (These images are for your viewing enjoyment ONLY and may not be re-posted, printed, or utilized for any purpose that violates my copyright of them. Should you wish to use them for ANY reason, contact me for written permission.)
May 20, 2010: Here are two of my favorite people. Ashley Mentzer, who recently won Miss Congeniality at the AZ Rodeo Queen Contest, and Wyatt McCrea, who is the oldest grandchild of the late actor Joel McCrea and his actress wife Frances Dee. This image was created at the 20th Anniversary of the Festival of the West, where I’ve been the official photographer since 2005. Wyatt was an instant connection for me when I met him in 2005 and I continue to find him to be a joyful, charming man who gets along with everyone he meets as well as being an exceptional horseman. I met Ashley this year and spent a great deal of time with her, even taking her out to photograph her for several hours. I do believe I’ve found another spiritual daughter and I look forward to our building relationship and many horseback rides together.
May 12, 2010: In 2005, I attended an equine photography workshop in New Mexico and one of our sessions was held at a Peruvian Paso ranch that I have since come to visit often and spend days at following the horses in their pastures for long hours. At that workshop, our group was taking a short break to eat and I noticed a lovely horse standing in the barn aisle, tied up in waiting for his own personal session with us. I was compelled to go to him, and felt I knew him somehow. There was a tack box nearby and I picked up a body brush and went over his body with it, feeling the strength of him and enjoying the connection he offered so quickly. When he was brought out to a small paddock and turned loose it was so exciting as he showed his true nature as a spirited, strong stallion. Ginger, shown here with him, told us this was Domeqc and I realized why I felt I had recognized him in his looks as well as his spirit. Years before, equine photographer Robert Vavra had photographed him and included him in one of his Equus books. I met him when he was 24 years old and look how lovely he was, with his crested neck that shone with a mane past his shoulder. I was fortunate to know Domeqc for the last years of his life and always felt that connection with him. One of my photographs of him hangs in the ranch office…one of him coming straight at me with mane flying. He will live in my heart and memory always.
April 23, 2010: While in New Mexico at the San Cristobal Ranch in 2005, amidst a herd of grazing horses, one mare’s head kept popping up over the backs of her compadres. A bright flash of sorrel, she looked right at me and laughed. YOU might think she was just yawning, but I was there…I know better…I know she was joyously laughing. I get a giggle whenever I look at this image!
March 13, 2010: Festival of the West is next week. I’ve been their official photographer for the last five years and am excited to really “work it” to create the best images I can this year, the 20th anniversary. This image is of a lovely gal who I met while she was trying on corsets at Laced (owned by Karen Emerald Reeder). We connected and the next morning we met at dawn, with Karen, for a wonderful photography session. She had only had “mall photography” before and yet she was a very willing and charismatic gal…as shown in this, my favorite image of her.
March 12, 2010: While in a design class at the local community college a couple of years ago, I submitted art for the El Tour de Tucson poster. Although many of the judges loved this image, I was told it was not chosen because it was a photograph instead of a painting. I feel it looks very painterly, although this is a “straight” photograph done with the panning technique…only contrast and color correction applied. Many thanks to my gal Crystal, and her wonderful husband Taylor, for running/riding past me several times ’til we got it just right just before the sun set.
March 9, 2010: At the 4-H workshops I did on February 27th on Animal Photography, my wonderful husband played “model” with a new Aussie friend for the benefit of the 4-H photographers. This is an image I created side by side with those young talents. I particularly enjoy the smiles on BOTH of their faces!
March 8, 2010: This little guy wanted to join his friend, the Costa’s mama. He is a little Anna’s hummer who also lives at the AZ Sonora Desert Museum in the Hummingbird Aviary. Cute little things, aren’t they? This one looks like a cartoon character to me.
This image was created yesterday at the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum in the morning as the clouds were rolling in. This is a Costa’s Hummingbird with her newborn chicks. I stayed close by for about an hour and a half until this lovely opportunity to photograph the mother feeding her babies occurred. Within minutes, the rain started coming down”.
February 26, 2010: Rising to the Light. I look at this image often and find great inspiration in it. It seems to make my soul rise up. This is a quarter horse mare in NM, out on a ranch where they raise the mares and foals “in the wild” until they gather the weanlings and/or yearlings to train them as performance horses.
February 25, 2010: River #2. I love textures and essences of equine. This image shows two quarter horse backs after a long ride, wash down, and dry.
February 23, 2010: My cousin Liz Ann at Ted Degrazia’s Gallery of the Sun Virgin de Guadalupe chapel. This version is evocative of the mood the chapel instilled in both of us that day.
February 16, 2009: I’m in AZ today enjoying the sun in temps of the mid-70′s and remembering when I went to WI in March a few years ago and photographed Fjords in Barronett at the Odden’s farm. I had a great time and long to go back again. One thing this AZ gal learned is not to kneel in the snow for a different point of view for too long and that even “sitting” requires diligence to not freeze my behind!
February 12, 2010: I will be the official photographer for Festival of the West again this year, my fifth year. I meet such wonderful people there. One of the greatest blessings has been to become dear friends with actor Ben Cooper (my “dearest Ben”). Here he is a few years ago in the celebrity mounted shooting contest when the event was held at Rawhide (now moved to West World in Scottsdale). Ain’t he CUTE?
February 9, 2010: Sometimes I just have to do something silly. OK, maybe more than sometimes. But we have three cats who do silly things that distract me from my work and who strike various poses, each competing for who can fill the house with the most CUTENESS. So, how’s a gal to work with all that cuteness going on? This is our Neysa, a rescued Manx, enjoying the futon cushion in “her” papason chair.
February 8, 2010: While photographing for a woman’s quadrille team calendar, this gal Lisa came riding through the brush and I created an image not used in the calendar but one that has become an all time favorite of my husband. Lisa is a true horsewoman who has worked on ranches and her comfort horseback is evident in this image: Through the Brush.
Through the Brush
February 7, 2010: While photographing the mounted shooters for my gig as official photographer for Festival of the West in 2007, some of my favorite images I created were OUTSIDE the arena (often are!). This is one of them.
February 2, 2010: Georgie Sicking really loves this image of herself. A Cowboy to the core.
January 29, 2010: Synchronicity. In sync with each other, body and soul, these two Peruvian Pasos race around the pasture in NM.
January 25, 2010: Her foal from the current year and her yearling from the year before with their accomodating Mustang momma.
January 23, 2010: While photographing Kip Calahan at her home a few years ago, I spotted these kittens lying in a patch of sun. Promptly, I was on my belly getting a low point of view image. Sometimes you just have to stop and photograph the kittens!
January 22, 2010: At a benefit for wild horses, Michael Blake (author of Dances with Wolves), John Coinman (who fronts the band for Kevin Costner), and John Densmore (drummer from The Doors), performed for the crowd here in Tucson…John Densmore and Michael Blake are LONG time friends.
January 22, 2010: I love to photograph water, wood, textures of all kinds. This critter was discovered in the Red Rock Crossing stream in Sedona last May. Wolf? Bear?
January 21, 2010: The surprising patience, nurturing, and connection of horses and children never fails to touch my heart and soul.
Ah, the elegance of a horse…and the silliness.
January 18, 2010: Logan Leach at the Southern AZ Horse Expo yesterday, with his current Mustang who has had just 90 days of work toward the Extreme Mustang Makeover competition he’s traveling to (with his father Lanny) tomorrow. This little horse partnered so hard with Logan that I can’t imagine him not bringing him back home to keep rather than adopting him out. Every flick of the ear and shift of muscle showed the connection and this horse was digging into the ground during a medium speed spin bridleless.
Here is another image of Ginger Kathrens and Michael Blake at the Southern AZ Horse Expo yesterday, which I created right after they talked about wild horses.
Yesterday at the Southern AZ Horse Expo, I spent time with several of my friends. Lanny and Logan Leach, Ginger Kathrens, Michael Blake, and more…meeting many more wonderful horses and people. This is an image of Michael Blake and Ginger Kathrens.
January 15, 2010: Moo. ‘Nuff said…
This is a bit what I feel like tonight. Hard working day today. Male lion, Reid Park Zoo, Tucson, AZ.
Ever have one of “those” days?
January 14, 2010: I created this image of Lynn Anderson and Ben Cooper at Festival of the West in AZ a couple of years ago. One of my favorites still. In the background? Rusty Richards.
“Through the Glass”. Image created last Thursday at an animal shelter in Sedona, AZ.
The eyes behind the paws in Through the Glass. Imagine them looking at you in your home…
January 13, 2010: I spent about four hours at an animal shelter, photographing and loving on the critters. I walked out with my heart full of love and yet aching for each animal who longs for a home. This is one of the images.
Also, Beloved friend and singing partner of Curly Musgrave, Belinda Gail,sang in tribute to him at the celebration of his life in Pomona, CA on January 9th, 2010.
December 29, 2009: And singing Christmas carols, Heeeere’s Suki! While Mom’s away, the photographer will play…with her cats!
December 25, 2009: This Christmas morning was blessed by beginning with Dancing ‘Round the Christmas Tree by Belinda Gail and Curly Musgrave from the CD Our First Noel. The blessing of Love from our friends and family and with each other, my husband and I, was very strong this year…and the greatest gift of all. Thank you.
December 16, 2009: I have two images titled Heaven’s Light. This one, of a young girl peaceful in the newfound sanctuary of her partnership with a “throw-a-way” dangerous horse, touches my heart each time I re-discover it in my files.
Before I met Curly, I bought a CD of his in Santa Fe on my way to the 2005 WMAs. The first song that stuck in my heart, that I learned by the time I got to Albuquerque, was Make My Heaven Colorado. This song is how I first came to know of Curly’s heart and talent. Since then, his voice and songs have become essential to the soundtrack of my life and his teachings have inspired many songs to come through my own heart in congruent, heartfelt ways.
Won’t You Make My Heaven Colorado,
Somewhere on the Western range where I can buckaroo…Make My Heaven Colorado,
When I rode in Colorado I was halfway home to You.
The Owl and the Pussycat (In this case, “our” owl who visits and my Mother’s Abyssinian cat)
December 7, 2009: Silent Night…Holy Night…all is calm…Ahhh, the peace that can be found in the space of horse and girl.
December 2, 2009: Speaking of CUTE. Here is Cora Rose Wood with her brother, Bonner, and the adored Don Edwards. Couldn’t have planned this very emotionally authentic image!
Also, Terri Taylor, backstage at the 2009 WMAs in ALBQQ. This woman can do purt near anything.
November 26, 2009: Lovely Juni Fisher. WMA Female Performer of the Year and who also won for her amazing album, Gone For Colorado. If you’ve met her and heard her sing, I need say no more. If you have not, may your life be blessed with her songs.
November 13, 2009: Here is Scotty Fitch on “his” camel. Maybe we should encourage a remake of Hawmps!
November 12, 2009: I balanced these rocks in Sedona, then spent time just looking at them. I left them there and brought home this photograph of them to cherish forever which reminds me on hectic days to “slow”, breathe, and find balance…
And also, This small flower, held gently by my husband, brought such a sense of simplicity and grace to my soul. And on a day when I so needed this message, it reminded me quietly to Breathe…
One more… The Western Music Awards and Conference will be in Albuquerque, NM next week and this man will be there. Anyone want to venture a guess as to who this is? It’s Mr. Les Buffham!
November 2, 2009: BRAVE, wonderful Crystal. Her first child is due in just three weeks.
October 27, 2009: Once again, the Cute Kitty “distraction” stops my work in it’s tracks. This is Neysa, our rescued Manx tabby…in position number eight.
October 30, 2009: Sherry Cervi, one of the top barrel racers in the nation. I photographed her for an article in Western Horseman.
October 25, 2009: Want to share this fun image I created of Dave and Dorene Daiss at the Empire Ranch Round-Up this past Saturday. I asked if they were connected by business or romance and this was their answer.
October 22, 2009: This image, created a few years ago at a 4-H show in Tucson, AZ, continues to be one of my favorites. The gal with the backpack was talking on a cell phone and didn’t realize she had a new friend. When she started to move away I asked her to stop for a moment and got this image. It always brings a smile.
October 22, 2009: Images like these, presented in a Horse Play collage, represent the kind of images I LOVE to create for my clients and friends, and clients who then become friends. Imagine the images that would be yours if I did a photography session for you! How do I create fun images like this or ones more serious depicting the relationship between horses and their people? The Art of Connection.
So, I get a new office desk with a hutch. I’m setting it up and leave the room for a few minutes. When I come back in the room, I see our shorthair, Button (nickname for Silver Sage, cuz he’s cute as a button) doing a power catnap in the hutch. He’s not allowed in my office (too many yummy chewable prints). Right…try to tell HIM that. Ain’t he cute though?
October 18, 2009: Lipizzaner Mare:Twilight Glow
October 15, 2009: I’ve been looking at some of my images from the past. Memory Lane, you know. Finding inspiration in some of the images I “forgot”. This one is of a young gal who at the end of our morning session came across some quail eggs in a ground nest. A lovely storytelling image resulted…
October 14, 2009: An image of Colter Moore and two of his best friends, from 2006 at the Price Canyon Ranch in Rodeo, AZ. Brought out of archives and re-touched by inspiration tonight…
October 12, 2009: This past week I was honored to create a “headshot” for a lovely singer for her Master Recital flyer. We connected immediately and her spirit shone in the resulting photographs. On Sunday night, my husband and I attended her recital. She sang Opera in Italian, French, and German, and followed with spiritually based songs in English. At 25, this “girl” has a soul that transcends age. The image here is of her at her recital. Her name? Nikky Douglas. Remember it. I’m sure you’ll be hearing about her…
October 12, 2009: Also on Sunday, I attended a baby shower for my dear friend/spiritual daughter/often model Crystal. Her first child is due the day before Thanksgiving. This image was created in the twilight right after the sun had set, as the party was wrapping up. Always beautiful, Crystal simply glows as a soon to be mother. “Tucked into her gift bag” was a before and after session.
October 9, 2009: One of my first images with my new Canon D7. ISO 100. Crop/resize/contrast only. Judith Tarr and her lovely Lipizzaner stallion, Pooka, at Camp Lipizzan (a writer’s workshop integrated with horses). Vail, AZ
October 8, 2009: Camilla, one of Judith Tarr’s lovely Lipizzaner mares.
October 6, 2009: This image won Photo of the Week for Bit and Bridle Magazine’s contest, by 71% of approx 270 votes. Thank you ALL for voting!
September 22, 2009: Tesoro: Peruvian Paso Stallion, at twilight.
September 20, 2009: Lanny Leach, (and his son Logan) made it into the Extreme Mustang Makeover again this year. Here is Lanny at his 9-11-09 demo, standing on his horse showing the trust and calm instilled. I’ve photographed Lanny for several years now and admire his “truth”.
September 19, 2009: One of the core founding members of The Tumbling Tumbleweeds is vocalist “Tumbleweed Rob” Wolfskill, who is a dear friend of my husband and mine. This image is of him after their concert this afternoon.
September 17, 2009: One of my images, the one shown here, will be in the Arizona Daily Star morning paper tomorrow. This is a Round Tailed Ground Squirrel in a Palo Verde Tree in our front yard, photographed through the window.
August 28, 2009: Working through my Prescott Cowboy Poetry Gathering images for my Market Place, and had to take a little time out for Don. This is Don Edwards and his dog, Smokey (named after Will James “Smokey”). Two cuter faces would be hard to find.
July 22, 2009: Light Dance: Model Laurel Rae, whom I connected with very well. We’re already planning to meet again to create more imagery! This was one of my submissions for the NAPP Photowalk (we could only submit two) for best photograph. This was a worldwide event, so it’s a huge competition.
June 22, 2009: Spent the weekend with my husband out at a ranch. Followed Spanish Barbs around and managed to avoid the rattlesnakes and cougars, although I heard both. The image shown here is of a couple of two year old fillies, whom I photographed three weeks ago. Unfortunately, the one with the star was taken down by a cougar the day after this image was made.
Spanish Barb filly. Lovely in the twilight.
